By Tori Richards
October 6, 2007
SANTA ANA, CALIF.(Crime Library) — Half of a husband-wife duo charged with commandeering a yacht and throwing the owners overboard to their deaths was sentenced to two life terms in prison Thursday.
It was a partial end to Orange County's most sensational murder case, that of a retired coupled duped into taking their 55-foot vessel on a test ride by a phony buyer and two friends. They were overpowered at sea and met a grisly end, handcuffed and tied together to their yacht's anchor then thrown overboard alive.
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| Jennifer Deleon |
Orange County Superior Court Judge Frank Fasel imposed the maximum sentence against Jennifer Deleon, 26, during a brief hearing that was packed with friends and family members belonging to victims Thomas and Jackie Hawks. Deleon was motionless and stared straight ahead during the eight-minute proceeding that occurred nearly a year since she was convicted. During her trial she acted the same way, sitting still without talking to her attorney or showing any emotion.
The only sentiment Jennifer showed Friday was when she entered the courtroom and glanced at her family and grimaced. She wore black pants and a long-sleeved pink sweater. Her brown hair had grown to the middle of her back and she wore blue eye shadow, mascara and eyeliner. Her hands were shackled to a chain belt around her waist.
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| Skylar Deleon |
"The Court orders consecutive sentences because although it is one incident, it involves separate acts of violence and separate people," Fasel said without further elaboration. This judge has been known to make cutting remarks to defendants during sentencing, but he was remarkably restrained — perhaps because he must still preside over Skylar Deleon's trial set for Jan. 28. Ex-husband Skylar, 28, is a one-time child actor who had a stint on television's "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers."
Jennifer was convicted on Nov. 17, 2006 of two first-degree murders with the special circumstances of multiple murder and financial gain, meaning that state law mandates a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. The only leeway a judge has — and somewhat a moot point — is whether the sentences are consecutive or concurrent.
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| Thomas and Jackie Hawks |
The bodies of Thomas, 57, and Jackie, 47, have never been found. Details of the horrific crime emerged from one of the participants on board, who said the stocky Thomas aggressively fought for his life and kicked Skylar before the anchor was heaved overboard. Jackie's head slammed against the side of the boat on the way over the side and Skylar laughed, according to the prosecution.
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